Edinburgh Standards for Housing

Do you want to live in a castle?

Well, we probably can’t help you with that, but Edinburgh Standards for Housing would like your views on housing in Edinburgh so that we can offer the best range of high quality, sustainable housing possible in the future.

We know that housing can help to improve a person’s well-being and quality of life, increase property values and assist in cutting crime. Tell us what you think about our proposals on the design, form and maintenance of new residential developments. Help us build homes which might not be castles, but which are great places to live, work, play and bring up your children.

Why do we need these Standards?

Good place-making and sustainable development go hand-in-hand and the Standards will form part of a suite of Edinburgh Standards for Sustainable Building, Streets and Urban Design.

The Standards will impact on many other services undertaken by the Council. The objective is to update, and provide in one document, existing planning and other Council advice relating to housing developments.

Transport related issues are integral to the overall design of residential development. The Council’s transport advice is contained in the ‘Movement and Development’ and ‘Parking Standards’ DM Handbook guidelines. These documents are currently under review following a wider review of the Council’s Local Transport Strategy. The Standards will therefore cross refer to this document where appropriate, to ensure a coordinated approach.

Before finalising the draft Edinburgh Standards for Housing, the Council is making them available for comment. The Standards, and the report presented to the Planning Committee on 26 February 2009, can be viewed via the links below.

Alternatively, the document may be viewed at the Planning & Building Standards reception area at the Council’s offices at Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh.
A hard copy of the report and document can be provided on request (see contact telephone number below).

If you would like to comment on the draft Standards you can do so by writing to Gina Bellhouse at the address at the bottom of this page. Comments should be received no later than 30 June 2009.

Comments may also be sent by email to Gina Bellhouse.

Gina Bellhouse
Principal Practitioner
Business Centre G.1
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
Tel: 0131 469 3723 (Tues to Thurs only)

Edinburgh Standards for Housing (Consultation Draft) (99 kB)

Edinburgh Standards for Housing (draft) Committee Report (60 kB)